More than eight decades ago, a young Jack Cornford regularly played in Awaba House and across its historic grounds. But on Wednesday morning, the 90-year-old stood in front of the shell of the Booragul homestead as police and fire investigators tried to figure out what caused the blaze that tore through the property on Tuesday night. Fire and Rescue NSW told the Newcastle Herald on Wednesday afternoon the inferno was not being treated as suspicious. While the cause was officially listed as "undetermined", investigators believed it was likely sparked by an electrical fault - there was also strong evidence that the fire began in the roof of the house. Mr Cornford, who lived down the road on First Street as a child, was one of dozens who visited the ruin on Wednesday, many expressing disbelief and sadness at seeing such damage to a much-loved community meeting place. "[Awaba House] means a lot," Mr Cornford said. "We used to climb the tree and there used to be an orchard up the back there and we ate the fruit. "It's been a beautiful old house, this." Kim Charles, who has lived in First Street for 26 years, described the fire as "devastating", telling the Newcastle Herald that some people were crying in the street on Tuesday night as the house burned. She said it had been the spot where her family celebrated birthdays, had catch-ups with friends and was seen by many people as a special part of living in the neighbourhood. "Our first thought when we heard the siren go past was that it was a false alarm at the gallery, but when we heard more we knew it was bad and then we saw the flames," she said. Read more: Awaba House destroyed as fire tears through historic property At the scene on Wednesday, Marmong Point resident Allison De Wit said the property was a community meeting place - describing it as "our local". She was in the Tea Gardens area on Tuesday night when news of the fire broke. "I just felt sick," Ms De Wit said. "It's almost like seeing your own house [burn]. There's a sense of loss." The structure that caught fire this week was built in 1927 and was the third Awaba House constructed at the site. According the research of former Lake Macquarie Art Gallery Society chair David Davies detailing Awaba House's history, the first was destroyed by a fire in 1886 before the second was demolished in 1927. The property has been home to notable Lake Macquarie families the Quigleys and the Brayes over many decades. It remained a private residence until 1983, even after the site was vested to state health authority in 1960 with a view to building a hospital - which never eventuated. Lake Macquarie City Council acquired the property from the Health Commission in 1993 to use as a temporary art gallery location. A new gallery was built next to Awaba House in 2001 and more recently the historic home has been leased to a private operator and run as a cafe, restaurant and function venue. It has become a popular spot for weddings, significant birthdays and other milestones. The fire did not damage the art gallery, which sits next to the old house, and the incident is not expected to delay its refurbishment and extension. Council's manager of property and business development David Antcliff said the blaze took a "significant toll" on Awaba House, but planning for the site's future would begin as soon as possible. "The damage is quite extensive," he said. "As soon as we get the site back, we'll be heading in there with our engineers to work out what the next steps look like." Mr Antcliff said council was taking an approach of "salvage before rebuild" where possible. "We haven't given up on this building," he said. "We'd love to be able to keep what we've got and work with that, but we'll see what the next few months bring us." Mr Antcliff said council was trying to help people who had events booked at Awaba House in the near future find alternative venues. "You can't replace Awaba House overnight, so unfortunately there are going to be some disappointed people in the near future," he said. Ingrid Love's daughter was one of the many who have tied the knot at the waterfront venue over the years. The long-time Booragul resident said the property was "an icon for all of west lakes". "Everyone's got a memory from Awaba House," she said. "I felt sick last night, physically sick - it's too much." While you're with us, did you know Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here. IN NEWS TODAY:
More than eight decades ago, a young Jack Cornford regularly played in Awaba House and across its historic grounds.
But on Wednesday morning, the 90-year-old stood in front of the shell of the Booragul homestead as police and fire investigators tried to figure out what caused the blaze that tore through the property on Tuesday night.
Fire and Rescue NSW told the Newcastle Herald on Wednesday afternoon the inferno was not being treated as suspicious.
While the cause was officially listed as "undetermined", investigators believed it was likely sparked by an electrical fault - there was also strong evidence that the fire began in the roof of the house.
Mr Cornford, who lived down the road on First Street as a child, was one of dozens who visited the ruin on Wednesday, many expressing disbelief and sadness at seeing such damage to a much-loved community meeting place.
"[Awaba House] means a lot," Mr Cornford said.
"We used to climb the tree and there used to be an orchard up the back there and we ate the fruit.
"It's been a beautiful old house, this."
'Sick' feeling as community left in shock over Awaba House inferno
Kim Charles, who has lived in First Street for 26 years, described the fire as "devastating", telling the Newcastle Herald that some people were crying in the street on Tuesday night as the house burned.
She said it had been the spot where her family celebrated birthdays, had catch-ups with friends and was seen by many people as a special part of living in the neighbourhood.
"Our first thought when we heard the siren go past was that it was a false alarm at the gallery, but when we heard more we knew it was bad and then we saw the flames," she said.
At the scene on Wednesday, Marmong Point resident Allison De Wit said the property was a community meeting place - describing it as "our local".
She was in the Tea Gardens area on Tuesday night when news of the fire broke.
"I just felt sick," Ms De Wit said.
"It's almost like seeing your own house [burn]. There's a sense of loss."
Awaba House.
The structure that caught fire this week was built in 1927 and was the third Awaba House constructed at the site.
According the research of former Lake Macquarie Art Gallery Society chair David Davies detailing Awaba House's history, the first was destroyed by a fire in 1886 before the second was demolished in 1927.
The property has been home to notable Lake Macquarie families the Quigleys and the Brayes over many decades.
It remained a private residence until 1983, even after the site was vested to state health authority in 1960 with a view to building a hospital - which never eventuated.
Lake Macquarie City Council acquired the property from the Health Commission in 1993 to use as a temporary art gallery location.
A new gallery was built next to Awaba House in 2001 and more recently the historic home has been leased to a private operator and run as a cafe, restaurant and function venue.
It has become a popular spot for weddings, significant birthdays and other milestones.
The fire did not damage the art gallery, which sits next to the old house, and the incident is not expected to delay its refurbishment and extension.
Council's manager of property and business development David Antcliff said the blaze took a "significant toll" on Awaba House, but planning for the site's future would begin as soon as possible.
The second Awaba House.
"The damage is quite extensive," he said.
"As soon as we get the site back, we'll be heading in there with our engineers to work out what the next steps look like."
Mr Antcliff said council was taking an approach of "salvage before rebuild" where possible.
"We haven't given up on this building," he said.
"We'd love to be able to keep what we've got and work with that, but we'll see what the next few months bring us."
Mr Antcliff said council was trying to help people who had events booked at Awaba House in the near future find alternative venues.
"You can't replace Awaba House overnight, so unfortunately there are going to be some disappointed people in the near future," he said.
Ingrid Love's daughter was one of the many who have tied the knot at the waterfront venue over the years.
The long-time Booragul resident said the property was "an icon for all of west lakes".
"Everyone's got a memory from Awaba House," she said.
"I felt sick last night, physically sick - it's too much."
While you're with us, did you know Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here.
